Third-oldest Monastery in Bhutan Burns to Ground
June 29th, 2012 by Ambrose Bittner
I’m very sad to share the news that one of the oldest monuments in Bhutan, the Wangduephodrang Dzong, in the Wangdue district in Bhutan succumbed to a devastating fire on 24th of June, 2012. It was over 400 years old, having been built in 1638 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel, it was the third oldest dzong in Bhutan and has served as a fort, administrative center, and monastery. Even sadder is the fact that major renovation work had just started in January of this year. However, all sacred relics from the Dzong have been saved. The cause of the fire is still being investigated. Initial reports indicate the fire may have been caused by an electrical short-circuit.
Wangduephodrang Dzong on Fire
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